---
title: "Bitcoin Security Jameson Lopp - Swan Bitcoin"
description: "The Bitcoin whitepaper promised a way for us to transact without the need for trusted third parties. Unfortunately, many bitcoin users fail to take advantage of this feature and still keep their funds with custodians…"
url: https://www.swanbitcoin.com/canon/bitcoin-security/
---

# Bitcoin Security Jameson Lopp - Swan Bitcoin

The Bitcoin whitepaper promised a way for us to transact without the need for trusted third parties. Unfortunately, many bitcoin users fail to take advantage of this feature and still keep their funds with custodians…

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**Jameson Lopp** ([@Lopp](https://twitter.com/Lopp))

The Bitcoin whitepaper promised a way for us to transact without the need for trusted third parties. Unfortunately, many bitcoin users fail to take advantage of this feature and still keep their funds with custodians. Those who do take custody of their funds find the journey fraught with peril and footguns.

Conservative estimates suggest that millions of bitcoin have been lost over the years by holders who did not take proper care of their keys, while millions more have been stolen due to security weaknesses. It's important that Bitcoin users are confidently able to be their own banks, both to increase the security posture of each user and to increase the robustness of the entire ecosystem so that it does not evolve into another network of custodians who hold all of the money and power.

- [The Dos and Don'ts of Bitcoin Key Management](https://blog.keys.casa/the-dos-and-donts-of-bitcoin-key-management/) (Jameson Lopp): There are a multitude of ways to lose your bitcoin - this is a nearly exhaustive list of common forms of loss and how to protect yourself from them.
- [Why We Recommend Coldcard](https://guides.bitcoinsupport.com/guides/v/coldcard/) (Bitcoin Support): Coinkite's Coldcard is arguably one of the most secure hardware key managers currently in production. This guide will walk you through setting one up, step by step.
- [Metal Bitcoin Seed Storage Reviews](https://jlopp.github.io/metal-bitcoin-storage-reviews/) (Jameson Lopp): While private keys should be managed on dedicated hardware devices, those devices can break or be lost. Be sure to back up your seed phrases on robust media - these stress tests will help you decide what to use.
- [Documented Timeline of Exchange Hacks](https://cryptosec.info/exchange-hacks/) (CryptoSec): In case you believe that it's safe now to leave your funds on exchanges, this history of hacks will show otherwise.
- [Known Physical Bitcoin Attacks](https://github.com/jlopp/physical-bitcoin-attacks/blob/master/README.md) (Jameson Lopp): While physical attacks against Bitcoin holders are still rare, they provide valuable learning experiences.
- [Cryptoasset Inheritance Planning](https://www.amazon.com/Cryptoasset-Inheritance-Planning-Simple-Owners/dp/1947910116/) (Pamela Morgan): The final step to one's Bitcoin security planning should be what happens to your keys once you pass on. Don't leave your loved ones in limbo!